You remember that thing we did?

So, for those of you lovely tree-huggers/ blog supporters/ (hi Mom!)/ eco-aware bloggers who have been regularly following us and our pursuit for a greener and more environmentally aware URI campus–you know that Maggie, our friend M., and I went to Washington D.C. back in February to the Forward On Climate Change Rally.

For those of you who have zero clue about what I am mentioning, you should watch the following video:

In short, we went to Washington to show our President and the nation that climate change is a serious issue, and we wanted action–starting with the rejection of the Keystone Pipeline.

You might ask: “But why?” And again, I ask you to watch:

To make a long story short, the use of tar sands to procure oil is probably the worst idea that America could take on–the potential, and very likely, health risks are insurmountable.

But we’re not the only college students who are protesting for change; check out 350.org.

350 is a grassroots movement that puts divestment at the forefront of their major goal for creating a cleaner, safer, and healthier earth.  Their name “350” is to represent what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere–currently we are at 390. The group spans worldwide, reaching over 188 countries! And they are committed to making their message spread even farther. But I want to pause on their mission statement and focus on a word you might not be familiar with: DIVESTMENT. It’s something we all can do.

But what is it?

As most of you may know, America and other parts of the world, depend largely on fossil fuels (a.k.a. why we are having serious issues with global warming and climate change). Divestment, is the social, political, educational and humanitarian act (yes, all of these things) to say no to the use of fossil fuels… Sounding familiar yet?

350 is one of the main groups supporting the rejection of the Keystone Pipeline. This pipeline and others like it are the type of expenditures 350 opposes. Their mantra “It’s wrong to profit from wrecking the climate” is the guiding words that ask national, state-wide, and local institutions to “divest from fossil fuels“

So what exactly does that mean?

It means refusing to support corporations that create fossil fuels; it means choosing not to fund investments for fossil fuel companies; and most importantly, it means supporting the creation of and funding for green energy (i.e. wind, solar and hydro).

In simpler terms:

When you invest your money, you might buy stocks, bonds or other investments that generate income for you. Universities and Colleges, like religious institutions and pension funds, put billions of dollars in these same kinds of investments to generate income to help run their institutions.

Divestment is the opposite of an investment–it simply means getting rid of stocks, bonds or investment funds that are unethical or morally ambiguous. Fossil Fuel investments are a risk for investors and the planet–that’s why we’re calling on institutions to divest from these companies. —350.org

And the best part, is that divestment is something that can be done as an individual or as a part of a large institution:

So what’s my point?

Although it was nice to take a short walk down memory lane with you, this post is not meant to repeat what has already been said in February, but to remind you that the decision to confirm or deny the construction of the Keystone Pipeline is still up for debate! Our work as tree-huggers and eco-activists is not over.

In fact, there now exists an electronic campaign that allows you to pledge your name to support the rejection of the Keystone Pipeline. If you want to add your name to the petition, you can go here to join others in telling Mr. President Obama that the Keystone Pipeline is NOT the solution to America’s struggling economy.

Also: If you want a more active role in DIVESTMENT, without being a part of an organization, you can go here to learn how to make sure your money funds clean energy versus coal and oil companies.

OR: If you are a part of a group already and what to see what you can do together, you can go here.

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Even though I have enjoyed my time writing this blog and researching about all the good and the bad that our nation (and other countries) have to offer, I realize that my blogging is just one small spec of the difference-making I can achieve for our little Rhody– I write to inform, to motivate, and yes,  to sometimes persuade everyone into action. But even after I research and write the same matter still stands, and we all have to face it.

The heat is rising. So what are we gonna do about it?

-Alyssa